Epilepsy, Employment and Debt: The Hidden Financial Impact of a Health Condition

By Vanessa Northam, Partnerships Director

March 26th is Epilepsy Awareness Day which provides an opportunity to look beyond the clinical understanding of epilepsy and recognise the wider impact it has on people’s lives.

For many, epilepsy is seen as a condition defined by seizures, but the reality is far more complex because when your health becomes unpredictable, so could your income.

A condition that affects more than health

In the UK, around 600,000 people live with epilepsy, approximately 1 in 100. According to Epilepsy Action:

· Just 34–42% of people with epilepsy are in employment

· Many face barriers to entering or staying in work

· A significant proportion report discrimination or lack of understanding in the workplace

This creates a gap; not just in opportunity, but in financial stability.

When seizures disrupt income

Recently, I experienced two seizures. While what followed was recovery, it was mired with uncertainty. There are questions that many people with epilepsy face every day — is it safe for me to work? Do I need time off and can I afford it? How will this affect my role, my income, my future? For some, the impact is immediate and for others, it builds over time, but the outcome is often the same: financial pressure. I’ve been fortunate that StepChange has supported me through this period, reminding me how vital it is for people to feel understood and treated with care when their health affects their stability.

The link between epilepsy and financial difficulty

When employment becomes unstable, the knock-on effects can be severe:

· Reduced or lost income

· Difficulty meeting essential costs

· Increased reliance on credit

· Delays or challenges accessing benefits

Research and insight from Epilepsy Action highlights that over half of working-age people with epilepsy are economically inactive; however, this is not a reflection of ability, it reflects barriers — in workplaces, in systems, and in understanding. Often income drops and people are left with difficult choices.

From financial pressure to problem debt

At StepChange, we see every day how income shocks can lead to debt. For people living with epilepsy, this risk is heightened:

· Sudden loss of earnings after a seizure

· Ongoing health-related costs

· Inconsistent work patterns

· Limited financial resilience

Without the right support, these pressures can escalate quickly into problem debt which itself can worsen stress and mental health, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break.

The role of employers and support systems

Many of these outcomes are preventable. With the right workplace support, people with epilepsy can and do thrive. Simple adjustments can make a significant difference:

· Flexible working arrangements

· Clear understanding of seizure management

· Open, stigma-free conversations

But too often, support is inconsistent or absent altogether.

Why awareness matters

Epilepsy Awareness Day on March 26th is a chance to challenge misconceptions; the most common one being that epilepsy is just about seizures. In reality, it’s about confidence, independence and financial security — and without the right understanding, people risk losing all three.

A call to action

If we want to reduce financial harm linked to health conditions like epilepsy, we need to:

· Improve awareness in workplaces

· Strengthen financial safety nets

· Ensure access to debt advice early

· Create systems that recognise fluctuating health conditions

At StepChange, we believe that no one should face problem debt alone, especially when it stems from circumstances beyond their control.

Final reflection

Experiencing seizures has changed how I think about stability. It’s made clear how quickly things can shift and how important the right support is when they do. For the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK living with epilepsy, this is a challenge they face every day and that deserves understanding — not just medically, but financially too.